Lara Adrian Interview

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Lara Adrian

Lara Adrian is author of the fabulous Midnight Breed series.
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Upcoming Title or Latest Release

Kiss of Midnight
Release Date: May 1, 2007
Publisher: Bantam Dell

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The Questions

Give us an update on yourself. What's your latest news?
I'm currently writing Midnight Awakening, which will be the third book in the Midnight Breed series. Meanwhile, I've also signed with Bantam Dell for three more books, bringing the series total to six novels (so far).

What's your upcoming or latest book/story about?
Kiss of Midnight is my first vampire romance novel, and the first in the series. The story revolves around Lucan, one of the oldest of the Breed, and the leader of a cadre of honorable – but deadly – vampire warriors. To all who know him, Lucan is the unwavering one, always in complete control. He's the Breed's strongest defense against those of the race who've gone Rogue, but inside Lucan battles a very private war that just might consume him. His struggle only gets worse when he meets Gabrielle Maxwell, a beautiful young photographer whose pictures threaten to expose the entire vampire race, and whose passion will bring Lucan to his knees.

How did you come up with the title?
Actually, the original title for this book was Kiss of Darkness. We even had cover art with that title and everything, but then we learned that a bestselling author was releasing a book of that same title just a few months before mine, so my publisher thought it best that we change the title. Kiss of Midnight was my second choice, but in hindsight I think it's a much better fit, since the series is called the Midnight Breed.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and what inspired you to start writing?
I've been writing one thing or another since I was a kid, although I can't pinpoint anything specific that inspired me to start writing. I love the written word, and I love sinking into a great story. I feel very fortunate to be doing something I absolutely love!
Incidentally, there is something of a history of writers in my family – facts I didn't fully appreciate until after I got published. An ancestor of mine, John Leland, was the Royal Antiquary for King Henry VIII, and in his position he wrote several texts that are still referred to today, as well as a poem read at the coronation ceremony for Anne Boleyn! Another ancestor, William Bradford, wrote a chronicle of life in Plymouth Plantation and other important texts during his long tenure as Governor of the Plymouth Colony. Maybe I have ink in my veins…

When did you write your first book?
I wrote my first book in late 1997, after two years of off-and-on attention to it. That book, a medieval romance novel called Lord of Vengeance, sold to Ballantine Books and was published in 1999. I really never expected it to sell – though, of course, I hoped it would – and thus began my career as an author.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
That probably depends on what year you might have asked me! I always had big dreams, and I enjoyed being creative and using my imagination. Writing and acting were definitely at the top of the list of dream jobs.

What projects are you working on now?
I'm writing Midnight Awakening, which is the third book of the series and comes out in December. I'm also plotting the subsequent books and a couple of future projects as well.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Writing used to be my favorite hobby, but now that I get to write all day long (and then some), I've had to find other things to call my hobbies. I enjoy reading (naturally!) and hanging out or traveling with my husband. The Internet, while I hesitate to call it a hobby since it's more of an addiction, also chews up a lot of my spare time. My iPod is another of my favorite vices.

What does your family think of your writing?
They're very excited for me, and proud of my accomplishments – my husband in particular. I've always been fortunate to have a lot of supportive people around me.

How long does it take you to write a book?
I'm getting faster all the time, learning new things and, hopefully, getting stronger as a writer. I can easily write 1000 words a day, but very often – especially nearing deadline time – I can do twice that or more. Right now it takes me about 3 months to write a 100k novel, and I like to have several weeks of plotting time ahead of that. My deadlines are currently about six months apart, which also leaves me comfortable space for revisions.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
It's a bit obsessive! I try to write every day, including weekends, because once I'm into a book, I am WAY into it. I'm a morning person, so typically I'm up around 6am and straight to the computer with my first cup of coffee. I write all day, very often forgetting to break and eat lunch because I'm so involved with what I'm doing. Once I break to make dinner (or order it, which I do far too often), I usually call it a night and use the rest of my time to answer emails, do some promotion, or just veg out and watch a movie with my husband.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
No quirks, interesting or not. I'm not superstitious and I don't believe in muses. But I do love my Sensa pens…

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I'm a big daydreamer – always have been. It's amazing what will pop into your head if you're quiet long enough to let something happen. I also find a lot of inspiration in lots of different music and lyrics. Sometimes a song can inspire an entire character or help set mood and/or action for a given scene.

What do you think makes a good story?
I think the core of any good story is fully realized, multi-dimensional characters – that's what makes the difference between a decent read and a great book. Sometimes a writer can skate by if s/he has a fascinating premise or a controversial subject, but people that awesome plot with "walk off the page" characters and you've got magic!

What was one of the most surprising things you've learned in creating your books?
That a small town, self-taught writer can not only break into NYC publishing, but make a viable career there.

Do you have a specific writing style
?
It's really hard for me to determine my own writing style. I try to write cinematically, so that the reader can see and experience each scene as if they are in there with the characters. I like action and suspense, but I also like passion and drama, so I think my writing probably reflects all of that to varying degrees.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Deadlines! And the feeling that I'll never have time to write all of the books I want to write.

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?
I wrote seven medieval romances for Ballantine Books before beginning this new direction with my writing. Now, as Lara Adrian, I've written the two books coming out from Bantam Dell in May and June, and I'm halfway through the third. I really don't have a favorite because each book is special to me–for the stories themselves, and for the time in my life when I was writing them. It's like hearing a song on the radio that takes you back to a specific moment in your life. Each of my books is a capsule reminder of a slice of my life and it would be impossible to choose a favorite from among them because they're all so personal.

Who or what has influenced your writing?
I grew up reading Stephen King, John Saul, and Dean Koontz, so I've always naturally gravitated toward darker material. Even my medieval romances were dark and dramatic, with some elements of suspense. Now that I'm writing dark contemporary paranormal novels, I feel like I've come home. I'm having more fun than ever with my writing, and it's giving me the chance to explore characters, settings, and situations I'd been unable to do with historicals.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I can't say I have an absolute favorite author, but I'm very impressed by writers who can make me care about their characters while bending a tight plot into a pretzel – so much the better if they make me gasp at the end. Stephen King is a master at this, and I've read a couple of Harlan Coben books that just blew me away.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I haven't had any mentors per se, but I am indebted to Romance Writers of America for some wonderful conferences and workshops. Not only did the organization introduce me to other aspiring writers, editors, and agents, but it also gave me the chance to hear some fantastic professional writers talk about the craft. I've learned so much since I joined the organization twelve years ago!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I've become friends with some newer authors who are doing some exciting things: Jaci Burton, who's debuted a fantastic action/romance series featuring a group of demon hunters; Sydney Croft, who's debuting this fall with an erotic paranormal series (I've read the first one and it's great!); and Colleen Gleason, who just introduced readers to her ”Buffy meets Jane Austen” historical vampire slayer series. There are a lot of really talented, exciting new authors coming up the ranks – lucky for us readers!

Who designs the covers of your books?
The art department at Bantam Dell designs my covers. I've been so pleased with what they've done for me. One of my favorite parts of the whole publication process is seeing the cover art for the first time.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
My books haven't released yet, so I've only heard from folks who've read the ARCs but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I'm hearing a lot of questions about when Tegan's book is coming (December).

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for taking a chance on my books. I hope you enjoy them!

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Stick with it, believe in yourself, and never stop trying to improve your craft. A great book will open many doors. Focus on the work first.

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